Transcript Document
WATER FOR THE 21st CENTURY ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT Santa Ana River Watershed Conference April 11, 2013 Historical Context • Swamp and Overflow Act • State and Central Valley Flood Systems • Water System Development Historical Context Adaptability? Year 2003 2000 1997 1994 1991 1988 1985 1982 1979 1976 1973 1970 1967 1964 1961 1958 1955 1952 1949 1946 1943 1940 1937 1934 1931 1928 1925 1922 Million Acre Feet Water Variability and Use Yearly Total Delta Outflow (Calendar Year) 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 California Water Systems • Fueled California economy • All had unintended consequences • All are less reliable today Water System in Crisis • • • • • • Increasing population Aging infrastructure Groundwater overdraft Degraded ecosystems Increasing conflict Uncertainty due to climate change American River Runoff Annual Maximum 3-Day Flow The five highest floods on record of the American River have occurred since 1950. Monthly Average Runoff of Sacramento River System Source: DWR Australian ‘Big Dry’ in CA? $500 Billion 1.6 Percent 114,000 30 Percent Total negative economic impact Reduction in GDP growth Jobs lost Reduced agricultural output Change in Groundwater Storage for the Central Valley Solving California’s Water Crisis • No single strategy can meet all needs • Integrated, diverse strategies contribute to sustainable solutions • Water management actions and issues are interconnected • Manage water as a natural resource Integrated Water Management California Water Foundation Achieving sustainable water management through: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Integrated Water Management Groundwater Management Urban Water Use Efficiency Agricultural Water Use Efficiency Stormwater Capture Recycled Water Reservoir Reoperation Flood Management Water Management Opportunities • Water Use Efficiency – 5.0 MAF – Urban efficiency – 2.1 MAF – Agricultural efficiency – 0.6 MAF – Reuse and recycling – 1.5 MAF – Stormwater capture - 0.8 MAF • Conjunctive management and groundwater storage – 1.0 MAF CWF solutions could provide California with an additional 6 MAF of water each year Sustainability • • • • Resilient ecosystems Diverse and adaptable water supply Stable funding and investment Meet current and future economic and ecosystem water needs Future of Sustainable Water Management • Significant opportunities exist, but new approaches are needed • Investment in innovative new technologies • New policies that modernize regulation and management • Some are already paving the way with innovative solutions Regional Investment Strategy • Invest in regional solutions • Test new innovative tools and technologies • Create partnerships with progressive water agencies • Promote benefits to a broader audience Sustainable Water Management Profile • Method for regional water managers to better understand their water supply risk and guide investment decisions • Using quantifiable indicators, assess the level of a region’s water management sustainability • Promote actions, investment and improvement over time Sustainable Water Management Profile • Develop and pilot test the new tool with Sonoma County Water Agency • Learn and refine the tool • Improve water management in Sonoma county • Promote and apply in other regions • Engage private sector WaterSmart Software New Tools to Encourage Conservation • One-year pilot project with EBMUD • Studies what effect personalized consumer education has on reducing water use • Water use reports, developed by WaterSmart Software • Provides comparisons to similar users and recommends tips to conserve water Knaggs Ranch New Approaches to Flood Management • Loss of habitat caused fish populations decline, increased conflicts • Goal is to show flood control, farming, and fish benefit from the same projects Kings River Conservation District Satellite Telemetry Project Provides Data for Better Groundwater Management • Utilizes a Satellite Internet Telemetry system to monitor groundwater basin • Units remit real-time daily readings via satellite to KRCD • Provides continuous, longterm data to monitor trends in the basin Kings River Conservation District Satellite Telemetry Project Provides Data for Better Groundwater Management • Must adapt to changing weather patterns: more extreme floods and droughts • To deal with volatility, water managers need more frequent and more accurate data • KRCD could serve as model for other CA agencies SAWPA is a nationwide leader in integration and innovation